Although extremely rare, adverse events have occurred after COVID-19 vaccinations, and people affected have exercised their rights to seek compensation. However, the U.S. government program that considers COVID-19 vaccine injury claims lacks accountability, transparency and cost-effectiveness, according to a recently published study led by a researcher in the Hudson College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
The study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Law and the Biosciences, was led by Junying Zhao, Ph.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of health administration and policy at the Hudson College of Public Health. The study provides the first-ever economic examination of the government’s Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), whose design is rife with unintended consequences, Zhao said.
The CICP has its roots in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which was enacted by Congress in 2005. The PREP Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a declaration in response to a public health emergency like COVID-19. As part of the declaration, companies that manufacture and distribute vaccines, as well as medical professionals and others who administer them, are granted immunity from tort liability claims — essentially, they cannot be sued in state or federal courts for any injury or death.
The PREP Act rightfully eliminates liability concerns for the large number of people quickly responding to a public health crisis like COVID-19, Zhao said. But the U.S. government still must provide a mechanism to compensate individuals and families when the evidence shows a person was harmed or died as a result of receiving the vaccine. The CICP was created to address injury claims related to public health emergencies.
“My expertise is applying economics to the intersection of medicine and law,” Zhao said. “A particular branch of law relevant to healthcare is tort law. When COVID-19 vaccinations became available, I became interested in how someone would seek justice if they were injured, or how their families would be compensated if a family member died. Although it has been very rare — only three adverse events reported per one million people in our study — we still need a fair program for people to seek compensation.”
Zhao’s discovery of the inadequacies within the CICP came after comparing it to the government’s decades-old program that responds to vaccine injury claims concerning traditional vaccines against the measles, seasonal flu and others that are administered routinely, not in response to an emergency like COVID-19. Called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), it is located within the judicial branch of the federal government and operates in a typical court fashion in which attorneys for both the plaintiff (the person seeking compensation) and defendant (HHS) present evidence to a judge who specializes in vaccine injury cases.
In contrast, the CICP is located within the administrative branch, specifically HHS. Medical experts working for HHS make decisions for vaccine injury claims rather than each side making its case before a judge.
“In the CICP program, HHS serves as both the defendant and the judge,” Zhao said. “There is no third party to make sure both sides are heard. The design of the program incentivizes HHS to reject claims in order to reduce budget expenses.”
That assertion is reflected in the compensation amounts awarded by CICP as compared to the non-emergency VICP. In her study, Zhao found that the average compensation per adjudicated claim from the VICP is $243,129, while the average compensation from the CICP is $45,697. That translates to about one-fifth the amount of compensation for a COVID-19-related vaccine injury compared to the amount awarded for injuries caused by non-emergency vaccines.
“If someone has a mild adverse event, $45,000 may be sufficient,” Zhao said, “but what if a family’s primary breadwinner is temporarily or permanently disabled, or dies? In that case, $45,000 is not nearly enough to support a family in a lifetime, nor is it the worth of life.”
Zhao also found discrepancies in the administrative costs between the CICP and VICP. Administrative costs in the VICP are $24,000 per claim, money that pays judges, attorneys and medical experts. In contrast, the administrative cost per claim in the CICP is $40,000, which only pays medical experts within HHS.
The study highlighted another potential barrier for people seeking compensation for a COVID-19 vaccine injury. If a person’s claim is denied by the VICP, he or she can file an appeal and the case is presented again before a judge. However, in the CICP, a person can ask for the claim to be reconsidered, but it is reviewed by a similar group of medical professionals with no transparency about their identity or credentials.
To conduct the study, Zhao took a deep dive into information from the White House budget and the Department of Treasury. Her findings are especially relevant given that the CICP and VICP fulfill the same role, yet have such different structures and spending outcomes. Since the CICP began with the PREP Act in 2005, it has experienced only occasional public health emergencies, such as the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009 and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The VICP, in contrast, has been operating continuously since 1986 with lower administrative costs and higher compensation payouts.
In the publication, Zhao makes several policy recommendations that would improve the compensation process for future public health emergencies. They include merging the CICP and VICP and locating the single program in the federal claims court, which is the VICP’s current home. Alternatively, the publication recommends that Congress consider incremental changes, such as judicial review of the CICP, increased transparency, financial and performance audits, and more cost-effective use of taxpayer money.
The publication produced by the study was rigorously peer-reviewed, Zhao said, and fills a gap of knowledge about the compensation process during public health emergencies. The PREP Act is essential for a rapid response to crises like COVID-19, Zhao said, and vaccine adverse events continue to be exceedingly low in proportion to the number of vaccines administered. But Americans deserve a fair and transparent opportunity to seek compensation when they feel they have been harmed, she said.
“Vaccines are incredibly important for public health, but the design of the federal CICP represents a conflict of interest and lacks checks and balances,” she said. “From a public health and public policy perspective, the program needs to be improved so that it more effectively reduces vaccine hesitancy by serving as a warranty for vaccine safety.”
The publication can be found at https://academic.oup.com/jlb/article/9/1/lsac008/6555422. Zhao’s team included several faculty researchers from the Department of Economics at the University of Oklahoma’s Norman campus: Firat Demir, Ph.D., Pallab K. Ghosh, Ph.D., and Myongjin Kim, Ph.D.; and Austin Earley, graduate student researcher in the Hudson College of Public Health at the OU Health Sciences Center.

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’m planning to enroll in original Medicare in a few months and have been told I probably need to get a Medicare supplemental policy too. Can you offer any tips on selecting one? Almost 65

Dear Almost,
If you’re enrolling in original Medicare, getting a supplemental policy (also known as Medigap insurance) too is a smart idea because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and the Part A deductible. Here are some tips to help you choose an appropriate plan.
Medigap Plans
In all but three states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), Medigap plans, which are sold by private health insurers, are available to new enrollees in eight different standardized plans. These plans are labeled with the letters A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N, with two more, C and F, that are only available to those eligible for Medicare before 2020.
Plan G is the most popular policy among new enrollees because it covers the most comprehensive range of benefits. Monthly premiums for Plan G typically range between $100 and $300, depending on your age and the state you reside in. If that’s more than you’re willing to pay, there are also high-deductible plans that have lower premiums but impose higher out-of-pocket costs. (story continues below)

For more information on the different types of plans and coverage details, including Medigap options in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, go to Medicare.gov/publications and type in “choosing a medigap policy” in the Keyword box, and download their 2022 guide. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to mail you a copy.
How to Choose
To pick a Medigap policy that works best for you, consider your health, family medical history and your budget. The differences among plans can be small and rather confusing.
To help you choose, visit Medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans and type in your ZIP code. This will give you a list of the plans available in your area, their price ranges and the names, and contact information of companies that sell them. But to get specific pricing information, you’ll need to contact the carriers directly or call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. See ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675 for contact information.
Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover the exact same benefits (it’s required by law), you should shop for the cheapest policy.
You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of your health.
You also need to be aware of the pricing methods, which will affect your costs. Medigap policies are usually sold as either: “community-rated” where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age; “issue-age-rated” that is based on your age when you buy the policy, but will only increase due to inflation, not age; and “attained-age-rated,” that starts premiums low but increases as you age. Community-rate and issue-age-rated policies are the best options because they will save you money in the long run.
You can buy the plan directly from an insurance company, or you can work with a reputable insurance broker.
Drug Coverage
You also need to know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug coverage, you’ll need to buy a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. See Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision, dental care, hearing aids or long-term care.
Alternative Option
Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan (see medicare.gov/plan-compare) that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Mom jeans may be back in style this season, but mom genes never go out of fashion, say experts at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
In addition to the half-and-half mix of each parent’s DNA in the nucleus of our cells, genetic material is found in mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for producing energy.
“These mitochondria are passed to the child from the egg, so they are always inherited from the mother,” said OMRF genetics researcher Courtney Montgomery, Ph.D.
Mitochondrial DNA is small but mighty. It contains about 16,500 base pairs, compared to the roughly three billion in the nucleus, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute.
“This inheritance from our mothers plays a big role in our bodies running smoothly,” Montgomery said. “It controls the mitochondria and helps regulate the metabolism.”
Plus, these mom genes are totally vintage – because they never merge with DNA from another parent, they can be a reliable source of information on population genetics and migration going back thousands of years, Montgomery said.
The small portion of DNA in the mitochondria is “like a satellite facility” of genetic material in the cell, said OMRF scientist Bill Freeman, Ph.D., who studies the impact of the genome on aging.
Mitochondrial DNA makes up for its size through numbers. While each cell has only one copy of the primary genome in the nucleus, Freeman said, the same cell may contain hundreds of mitochondria with thousands of copies of its genome.
These many copies help maintain function when risk factors like age and diet cause damage, said Montgomery. Mom genes can get tattered over time, and they need proper care.
As the “powerhouse of the cell,” the mitochondria are responsible for many cell functions. Its DNA taking damage can be a “critical factor in the development of diseases it is associated with,” Montgomery said.
“Proper mitochondrial function plays a part in everything from aging to neurodegenerative disease and diabetes to cancer,” Freeman said.
This Mother’s Day, appreciate mom by protecting her hand-me-downs, said Montgomery. “Get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, and avoid smoking — your mom genes will continue looking their best.”

Dr. Randy Grellner, a candidate for the U.S. Senate representing Oklahoma, has been approved to serve on the State Board of Health by the Oklahoma Senate.
“It is truly an honor to be nominated and confirmed to serve in such an important position that affects the lives of every Oklahoman,” Grellner said. “As a doctor, I care deeply about the health of every person. Being a part of this board gives me the opportunity to ensure Oklahomans get the best health advice and care we can offer on disease and injury prevention and in keeping the people of our state healthy and strong.”
The mission of the board is to protect and promote health, to prevent disease and injury, and to cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can be healthy. The nine-member Board is appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation. Board members are selected based on a strict criterion which includes leadership, integrity, service, a commitment to public health, and accountability based on sound evidence and responsible research.
In all, very few physicians get chosen to serve in such a high-level and responsible capacity, and those selected are considered the top doctors and health professionals in the state. Those selected to serve are more than proven professionals in their fields but are those who are shown to have the highest moral and ethical standards and who show a true compassion for the health of the people of Oklahoma.
“I am always happy and prepared to serve the people and the communities of this great state,” Grellner said. “I will serve to protect us in the realms of health and will serve to protect us and our values in Washington against the establishment and the corrupt professional politicians as a member of the U.S. Senate.” For more information visit: www.drgrellnerussenate.com
Dr. Grellner is a candidate for U.S. Senate from Oklahoma. Additional information can be found at www.drgrellnerussenate.com.

Story and photo by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

Since its inception in 2001, Mark Bravo, 64, has added color commentary to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon’s live television broadcast on KFOR-Channel 4 locally while actively supporting the race throughout the year and on marathon weekend. From hosting the event’s two-day Health and Fitness Expo to helping with invited legends of the sport coming to the race to inspire runners both at the Expo and all weekend, Bravo has devoted hundreds of hours to the event over the years.
He takes great pride in making sure its national reputation as the “Run to Remember” leaves participants with two distinct emotions. The first is to bring together runners and spectators from around the world to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those who were changed forever in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Another source of pride the race has fostered is to treat runners and walkers to many extras not available at most marathons. This makes each person feel like an “elite” participant because of the on-course support from a massive outpouring of cheering and volunteering OKC residents. (story continues below)

The marathon weekend’s amenities in April, and the race itself, punctuates what has become known as the “Oklahoma Standard.” Oklahoma City offers an outpouring of volunteerism and an Expo that assists runners and walkers in getting fired up for their big day, no matter what event they seek to accomplish.
A highly anticipated aspect of the Expo is interaction with Hall of Famers from the sport who speak about their experiences in and out of the sport and training expertise to help ease runners’ minds before their race. Some years Bravo’s duties included recruiting marathon luminaries for the weekend, some of whom were literally at the forefront of the “running boom” in America in the ’70s and ’80s. The Expo’s “Legends Booth” hosts some of the best American runners ever.
This year saw National Track and Field Hall of Famers like four-time Boston and New York Marathon winner Bill Rodgers and Hall of Famer and Olympic Marathon Champion Joan Benoit Samuelson attend. Famed marathoner Dick Beardsley spoke at the Expo. Also speaking was world record-holder and double amputee marathoner Marco Cheseto. Oklahoman Dan Little, 78, spoke about trying to run seven marathons, in seven days, on seven continents later this year, a feat he succeeded in doing just two years ago.
With Bravo’s broadcast journalism training from the University of Oklahoma, he joins KFOR’s Kevin Ogle and Linda Cavanaugh in anchoring live television coverage of the Sunday marathon on-air and online beginning at 6 a.m. each year. As an experienced marathoner himself, he describes the events from the runners’ point of view and offers background on the many elite and “ordinary” runners.
“I’m humbled to be a part of this race, and to offer color commentary on race day gives me a chance to provide insight into road racing. I describe the mindset of all levels of athletes who participate and the importance of this race to Oklahoma, not only in April but all year long,” Bravo said in an interview. “I’m fortunate to have a lot of engagement with athletes of all abilities throughout the year. The connection to the community has made it one of my great pleasures to help document every OKC Memorial Marathon.”
Bravo is a freelance writer, broadcaster and nationally-noted road race announcer who has finished almost 50 marathons in his 40-plus years in the sport. He speaks at countless sports-focused venues on building momentum in one’s life. Bravo has coached runners for the last two decades, and his view of mental and physical wellness is detailed in his well-received book: “Momentum: 77 Observations Toward a Life Well Lived.”
Bravo’s definition of an “athlete” has less to do with physical prowess but more about a few principles: “It’s viewing the world and yourself through a ‘kinder, gentler’ lens, an always existent ‘stick-to-it-iveness,’ strong view that the glass is ‘three-quarters full, not half-empty,’ and an ever-present emphasis on gratitude. Through these principles and how we share them, each of us raises the calibration of the entire world!”
He stays intricately involved with the running community locally in his position at OK RUNNER OKC in downtown Oklahoma City. Bravo and his wife, Leslie, live in Edmond, Okla.
The event that some years hosts more than 25,000 runners and walkers from every state and several foreign countries starts at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The course goes through Bricktown, by the Capitol Complex, Nichols Hills, and several of Oklahoma City’s historic neighborhoods. Along with thousands of eager volunteers helping on the routes, the participants see 168 banners bearing the names of the 1995 bombing victims.
Participants are offered a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay (5 member teams), 5K, Kids marathon and a wheelchair division. Runners can secure a place in the Boston Marathon at this qualifying event.
The event is the Museum’s largest fundraiser as the sole beneficiary of the proceeds to support its year-round operation. It honors the victims, survivors, rescuers, and all affected by the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995. Many runners and walkers visit it during their time in Oklahoma City for the event.
The staging of an event of this magnitude requires the cooperation of many partners. There is a massive outpouring of help from the City of Oklahoma City, its Police and Fire Departments and the medical community. Community resources and safety are also provided by Nichols Hills and other parts of the courses, such as the Capitol Complex.
The volunteer race medical staff has a stellar reputation nationwide in road racing circles, especially for the fully equipped medical facility and the quality of care provided at the finish line. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine volunteers have set that standard. Volunteer communications personnel are positioned at intervals along the course to keep the fully-equipped medical team of professionals aware of events all over the course.
“Nationally and on social media, the running community has a lot to say about what is considered a great event,” Bravo said. “Many runners will come to our event for the first time due to the premise. With so many marathons available, they won’t return if the efficiency isn’t in there. I hear runner’s accounts to other runners every year when I visit other cities’ marathon expos: ‘You have to run this race (OKC Memorial Marathon). It’s the best race I’ve ever done! They treat you like you’re the most special runner there.’ We take great pride in that endorsement.”
In its continuing tradition of making the event memorable, a new feature was added this year. Any runner setting a personal record during the event could celebrate by ringing the new Personal Record Bell near the finish line in Scissortail Park. The bell was on the Oklahoma City Fire Department’s Truck 55, which provided aid after the 1995 bombing. An original stone from the Murrah Federal Building is set beneath the bell’s commemorative plaque.
After working the race for more than two decades, Bravo continues to exude class. After his broadcast work was over, Mark was still there this year. He announced athletes to their finishes and high-fived many, including the last official finisher, a 78-year-old male from Virginia, as he crossed the finish line almost seven hours after the start at 6:40:44. Bravo says he counts those experiences as much as the elite performances as the “real stories” of the race.

The Oklahoma Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is pleased to announce the National Register of Historic Places designation for the following properties in Oklahoma. The National Register of Historic Places is our nation’s official list of properties significant in our past.
Oklahoma County
William L. Bradford Building
27 E. Sheridan Ave., Oklahoma City
The William L. Bradford Building near downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, is locally significant for its association with Commerce and Industry. Constructed in 1909, the four-story, red brick building was developed as an investment property in Oklahoma City’s burgeoning warehouse district, known today as Bricktown. A simple corbeled brick cornice adorns the top of the building in reference to the Classical Revival architectural style that was commonly seen at the turn of the 20th century. Various manufacturers and wholesalers occupied the building during its period of significance from 1909 to 1941, including the Southwestern Fountain Company, the Can’t Spill Oil Can Company and Kansas City Paper House.
Kay County
Ponca City Coca-Cola Bottling Company
511 S. First St., Ponca City
The Ponca City Coca-Cola Bottling Company is locally significant for its association with Industry. The modest, one- and two-story, painted brick building was completed in a series of phases between 1923 and 1956 as the bottling plant expanded to meet the growing demands of the local community. The historic period glass block windows, drive-through service entries and signage panels reflect the building’s unique industrial uses and share common vernacular design elements with other nearby industrial complexes. Part of an integrated chain of local and regional bottling operations, the Ponca City Coca-Cola facility reflects the significant, early-20th-century industrial growth of the community and was the longest continually operated bottling works in Ponca City.
WBBZ Radio Station
1601 E. Oklahoma Ave., Ponca City
WBBZ Radio Station is locally significant for its association with Communications and Architecture. The station property is comprised of a two-story, buff brick, Modernist radio station building and an adjacent 165-foot metal transmitter tower, all completed in 1951–52. The modest, flat-roofed station building with its distinctive corner window and glass block glazing represents an exceptionally well-preserved local example of mid-century International style design. Ponca City does not have a large concentration of mid-20th century International style buildings. Thus, the intact and somewhat unusual nature of the WBBZ Station building marks it an exemplary local example of International style design. The WBBZ Radio Station provided an important outlet for local and regional communications regarding news, current events and general entertainment in an era before the widespread use of television and the Internet for social communications. The station also had a significant role in the establishment of local weather warning systems and civil defense programs in the immediate post–World War II era, a particularly important aspect given Oklahoma’s notorious reputation for severe and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places is an honorific designation that provides recognition, limited protection and, in some cases, financial incentives for these important properties. The SHPO identifies, evaluates and nominates properties for this special designation. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

When you think of Washington DC in the spring, you might think of the Jefferson Memorial in Cherry Blossom splendor, but D.C. has so much more to offer, and that’s the problem.
Over the years I have discovered that some cities are just too large, diverse, and ever changing, to be experienced fully in just one visit. I find this true about our Nation’s Capitol, Washington D.C. That’s why I find it to be an “installment” city: one that needs to be visited over and over again, over a number of years (or decades in my experience.)
Creating a reasonable itinerary for D.C., and knowing your physical capabilities is the key. In my youth I walked and walked and walked to near exhaustion, to see some of the monuments, memorials and museums. For this brief two day trip I took it easy, knowing that in most likelihood that all would be there for another visit on down the line.
I used inexpensive taxis to go most places. I could not believe how accessible they were.
My home base was in the Beacon Hotel and Corporate Quarters, up the hill from the White House by several blocks. It was a comfortable hotel, with a doorman for taxis, offering spacious rooms, kitchenette and full size bath. While I would not try to visit their unfriendly dining establishment again, I would consider the hotel for my next installment. They do offer a rooftop bar on some nights. Go early before the music starts.
Months in advance I contacted both my Congressional representatives to see about getting a White House tour. After a prolonged attempt it did happen, and I was put on a list with a group of strangers, to this day I have not met. I showed up a little earlier than my appointed time, and went through 2 check lists before going through security. I was told on the website, no cameras, although cell phones with cameras were allowed (go figure that logic), no pencils, no pens, no back packs, no water, no nothing, or it would be taken away. Strange again, but the price you pay. The self guided tour, following a pre determined path, was reminiscent of a tour decades ago. In reflection it is fun to see the rooms and hallways on TV and know their juxtaposition to each other and such, because you were there. I’m ashamed to say, I did not get a feeling of awe, but seeing the portraits of JFK and Jacqueline was heart warming. A tour of the Capitol Building is much easier to get and very informative.
I can also recommend visiting the National Gallery, The Spy Museum and its adjacent restaurant, Zola. All three are worth a lengthy visit. Dining at Zola is definitely on my list for my next installment visit to D.C.
Other fun food and beverages were enjoyed at the iconic Old Ebbitt Grill, the Round Robin Bar at the Willard Intercontinental, and the roof top bar and dining atop the W Hotel, where extra ordinary sights can be had of the White House, Washington’s Monument, Jefferson Memorial and the Lee Mansion in Arlington The W can be a bit snooty, as they reserve several roof top bar tables for VIP’s, which are seldom used early in the evening. So as you wait for the elevator behind the velvet rope, just profess to the doorman you want to stand at the bar. It’s worth the effort.
I longed to see the National Cathedral and took a taxi there and back. Getting back was the challenge. I saw the edifice and took a Gargoyle tour, which I can not recommend.
One is shown slides of the exterior, and then taken out front on the grounds to try and see again, what you saw in slide format. My souvenir book of Gargoyles sold in the basement gift shop was worth its money; the tour was not. A quick trip to the architecturally pleasing National Museum of the American Indian was accomplished, along with a light lunch, and my two days were completed.
As these days much is changing and challenging, and while this was my experience, it is always best to explore and investigate your Installment on your own before a trip.
One of the best compliments of any travel adventure or meal is answering “Yes” to the question, “Would you have it again?” And “Yes,” Washington D.C. is already on my list for future city installments.
When you go or before check out:
Zola Dining: www.spymuseum.org/dining
Beacon Hotel: http://www.capitalhotelswdc.com/
The Spy Museum : www.spymuseum.org/
The National Cathedral: www.nationalcathedral.org
Washington D.C. info: http://washington.org

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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On Friday, June 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (CSRHC) in Enid will present “Museum After Dark: Village Sounds” featuring singer/songwriter Stacey Sanders. The Village Church on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village will be transformed for the evening into an intimate listening room for the musician to share songs and stories. The CSRHC will remain open for the duration, so visitors can also explore our shared history at their leisure.
Museums are honest, authentic interpreters of the past, using pieces of historic evidence as a guide. Musicians are also storytellers, also telling honest, authentic stories about the world around us. “Museum After Dark: Village Sounds” at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is a chance to explore our story in Oklahoma from the perspective of different songwriters from our state.
As Sanders’s song “Government Issue” suggests, “I was a Desert Strike baby conceived in 1964.” He indeed was born in 1965 in Blackwell. His family relocated frequently to other states and Germany due to his father’s military service until they settled in Enid in 1976. Sanders then started playing acoustic guitar and penning songs during his teens. He cut his teeth on the sounds of James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young and other acoustic musicians he would aspire to become. Sanders unapologetically shies away from love songs and prefers telling gritty, earthy stories. Many of his songs are based on true-life experiences while others are whimsical, wild tales. He resides in Enid with his wife, Kay, and their dog, Jane.
The concert is free with admission to the CSRHC. Members of the CSRHC or the Oklahoma Historical Society always visit the center for free. This event is made possible through the financial support of our community partner, Park Avenue Thrift. The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is located at 507 S. Fourth Street in Enid. For more information, please call 580-237-1907 or visit www.csrhc.org.
The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.

INTEGRIS Health is encouraging Oklahoma lawmakers to support the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, so that hospital at home programs can continue to exist.
The Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) waiver program was implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive acute-level health care services in their home environment during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The waiver program has allowed hospitals and health systems across the country to meet increased capacity demands during the pandemic, while providing safe, high-quality care in patients’ homes where they can be supported by their friends and family. To date, more than 200 hospitals and health systems in 34 states have received the waiver – including INTEGRIS Health.
The INTEGRIS Health @ Home program officially launched Jan. 31, and recently celebrated the discharge of its 100th patient. Forty-six-year-old Rachael Martin had been in and out of the hospital multiple times due to congestive heart failure and respiratory issues. She was thrilled to learn there was an alternative option to the traditional brick and mortar hospital. “The hospital at home program is so much more convenient and comfortable,” says Martin. “There’s no place like home… and that’s truly where every patient would prefer to be if given the choice.”
INTEGRIS Health @ Home provides hospital-level care to patients in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Patients receive a remote patient monitoring kit and other clinical equipment as needed for their particular diagnoses. Standard equipment includes a blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, cellular-enabled digital tablet and a digital scale. Other devices can be added based on the patient’s needs. All the devices connect to a tablet through Bluetooth and transmit vital signs to a remote monitoring command center. The command center, staffed by INTEGRIS Health physicians and nurses, monitors patients 24/7 and responds immediately to a patient’s medical needs via video or telephone. Daily in-home visits by community paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals are also part of the treatment plan. IV therapies, oxygen treatments, lab tests, mobile imaging like x-rays and ultrasound are all performed in the home. Other services provided include skilled nursing, medications, infusions, behavioral health, and rehabilitation.
At this time, access to this care model is limited to patients with Medicare, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage health plans who accept the CMS waiver. Martin was only able to qualify for this option since SoonerCare agreed to accept the CMS waiver. “I immediately started feeling better as soon as I got home,” Martin declares. “I wish this program was available to everyone. I think countless Oklahomans could benefit from it.”
The problem facing current and future hospital at home patients is that the waiver flexibilities that enable this model of care are tied to the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which is slated to run through mid-July 2022. While it may be extended further, the PHE can only be extended in 90-day increments. “Patients and their health care providers need greater certainty for this important care delivery option,” says INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home System Director Lisa Rother. “The waiver program has demonstrated positive outcomes, experiences and potential cost savings, reinforcing the need for broader adoption. ”
The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (S.3792/H.R. 7053) would ensure that patients and providers have access to these services for two years beyond the duration of the PHE. This bipartisan bill would also require that within one year of enactment, CMS issue regulations establishing health and safety requirements for AHCAH Programs.
“By extending the waiver program, Congress will sustain the existing momentum and investment in the program,” says Tom Cassidy, the director of government affairs at INTEGRIS Health. “It will also allow for additional experience and data collection that can inform the potential of a longer-term payment model for these services in the Medicare and Medicaid program. Without such an extension, programs like INTEGRIS Health Hospital @ Home will no longer be available for patients with Medicare and Medicaid health plans.” Click here to see a video explanation from Tom Cassidy.

by Greg Schwem

I have a request, no, a plea, to cellphone manufacturers and software developers obsessed with phone memory.
Please stop.
You are the primary cause of an annoying disease I refer to as “scrolliosis.”
Those who suffer from it, and, in turn, cause those around them to suffer even more, are serial scrollers. In layman’s terms, they are obsessed with showing everyone the photo contents of their phones, beginning every sentence with, “Check this out!”
A scrolliosis victim could be your best friend, your relative or even your spouse; although, if my wife was constantly thrusting her phone in my face, I would put an immediate stop to it. But if it’s anyone else, I am forced to politely wait while their finger frantically moves vertically as they search for that photo or video clip that, according to them, I “just gotta see.”
What I really want to see their finger doing is repeatedly pushing the delete key until the only image left on their phones is the one on their home screen, covered in icons so I won’t have to look at that either.
I am not saying my phone is empty of memories; quite the contrary. My library shows I currently have 2,520 photos and (gulp) 1,362 videos vying for space with apps I actually use on a daily basis. About once a month, I attempt a phone cleanse, although it usually results in me deleting about one percent of my phone’s contents. Hey, you never know when somebody might want to see a selfie of me outside a Ketchikan, Alaska, salmon store. It could happen, right?
No, it couldn’t.
Think about it: Suppose I’m having a conversation with somebody about Alaska. That person expresses interest in visiting. Do I whip out my phone and say, “Check this out. Here’s ME in Alaska”? Followed by, “And here’s 40 more pictures of me in Alaska. And, wait a minute while I find it; wait, wait, hang on, it’s here somewhere…yes, here’s a video of a bear in Alaska!”
Somehow, I doubt the response would be, “Well, that’s all the evidence I need. I’m calling the airline today!”
When my daughters were of high school age, my wife and I frequently attended “pre dance” parties. Prior to homecoming or senior prom, a willing parent opened their home to about 30 couples, purely for the chance to take photos.
These get-togethers often lasted longer than the dances themselves; the event did not end until every ball gown and tuxedo-clad individual had taken pictures with every other attendee, in every conceivable combination. Yes, Chloe and Haley took a picture together but they didn’t take one with Samantha. Or Madeline. And did Madeline get one with Haley and Chloe, but not Samantha? And look who just showed up? Gabby!
This photo extravaganza continued until all the couples were satisfied they had, indeed, taken the appropriate amount of photos. Then, a late-arriving couple entered the home and the process started all over again. I could only imagine the scene on the Monday following the dance when Chloe met Madeline, Haley and Gabby in the school cafeteria and said, “You HAVE to see this video I took of us. Wait, wait…I know you have to get to class…here it is! No, wait, that’s me with Lizzie. Hold on…”
Twice a year, my town offers a shredding event, where residents are invited to, free of charge, destroy documents they no longer need. I suggest a similar event for phone contents. Keep five of the 367 photos you took of your Disney World vacation, transfer the rest to a thumb drive, and toss it into a machine full of sharp blades. You still have evidence on your phone that, yes, you visited Disney World and, yes, it was magical. But nobody will be forced to feign interest while you locate that amazing photo.
You are now cured of scrolliosis. That didn’t hurt a bit, did it?
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)